Fortnightcap: That was the Problem

That was the Problem

A Fortnightcap by DL Thurston

That was the problem. And That’s what she called it, short for That Thing. A large baby-blue creature, covered in downy fur with a long and swishy tail, That had been following her for the last week and a half. At first, That didn’t seem like too big of a deal, but it was beginning to disrupt her life, interfere with her sleep, always there and never leaving her alone.

That was what brought her to the psychiatrist.

“There’s no one else in the room, Susan,” he said, with a practiced empathy, but she heard the condescension.

“I can see That.”

“Then why do you insist there is?”

“Because I can see That. And I know you can’t see That.”

The blue creature shifted in its chair, looking at her with a soft and sad expression. She knew it was trying to play on her sympathy. It wasn’t going to work, not anymore, she was done with That.

“When did this start?”

“About two weeks ago. I turned a corner, and it was just standing there, big as life, but no one else could see it. It just started following me around.”

“Does it ever say anything?”

“No.”

“And what is it doing right now?”

“It’s looking sad.”

“Are you sad?”

The question puzzled her. “What do you mean?”

“Often times, these sort of visual hallucinations can be projections of someone’s inner feelings, a part of you you aren’t willing to deal with, don’t want to listen to. Now it’s taken manifest form, refused to be ignored. It’s not common, but I have seen this before.”

“So you’re trying to tell me That makes sense. That’s a part of me?”

“Very likely.”

“So the way to make it go away is what? Learning to live with That?”

It perked up at the question, nodding its head hopefully.

“How long should I give That?” she asked, still looking at the soft blue creature.

“A few days. A few weeks. If it’s still there in a month, then we might have to worry.”

“A month? Well. Maybe. I mean, I guess That’s not so bad.”

“Good. And if you do want to talk again, please feel free to make an appointment.”

She left, and That was That. The doctor smiled, knowing That would never really go away. After all, he had seen This before.